Deadly Central African Republic violence returns

Updated 3:01 pm, Wednesday, July 19, 2017

U.N. humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien speaks to reporters during a visit to the violence-torn Central African Republic city of Bangassou.

U.N. humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien speaks to reporters during a visit to the violence-torn Central African Republic city of Bangassou.

Photo: Hyppolite Marboua, Associated Press

Deadly Central African Republic violence returns

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

BANGASSOU, Central African Republic — Bullet-riddled roofs line the “boulevard of death” in Central African Republic’s southeastern town of Bangassou, where almost everyone who enters is seen as an enemy.

The city, spared sectarian bloodshed until May, now has more than 2,000 Muslim residents forced to take refuge at the local cathedral after attacks by the mostly Christian anti-Balaka militia.

More than 300 people have been killed and 100,000 displaced since May as violence that began in 2013 moves into the impoverished country’s central and southeastern regions, prompting warnings of a national conflict roaring back to life.

In Bangassou alone, more than 150 people have died in fighting between militias and U.N. peacekeeping forces.

“We were driven out by force. We have lost our parents, our homes and all of our belongings,” said Djamal Haddine Mahamat-Salle, secretary-general of the organization representing the town’s displaced Muslims. “It’s been two and a half months since we’ve been here, blocked without the ability to even go beyond 100 meters.”

Many said their departure from the cathedral could mean death.

“The anti-Balaka are everywhere. And as soon as you risk leaving, they will demand ransom,” said Zarah Mahamat.

On a visit to Bangassou this week, U.N. humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien insisted that the United Nations is there to help, and he warned of the growing violence.